For this week’s assignment, I will be evaluating two misinformation education tools. They are The News Literacy Project’s RumorGuard and the educational game, “Bad News.” Each of these tools are great ways for future journalists and others to identify and how to recognize dishonest news. Lies can easily be spread in today’s society, especially with the advances in technology. It is important for everyone to know how to avoid false stories, articles, tweets, and information.
I will start with my analysis of The News Literacy Project’s RumorGuard.
Rumor Guard is a website that helps people in terms of tracking pointing out,and stopping misinformation. It shows users information, videos, or tweets and will say why the post is real or fake. It will usually tell people the facts of why a piece of information is dishonest or not. It is also a great way to learn about the technique of fact-checking. The educational game, “Bad News,” is a dishonest news intervention in which users pretend they are in the perspective of a powerful fake news businessperson. The game will give you a choice of statements about what kind of information to tweet or publish in order to spread more false information. It basically teaches users how to get more followers by putting out lies. it is a text-and choice-based game to disperse false information. The game involves impersonating someone as a credible news source, playing into certain emotions to get people to believe your posts, polarizing, which is driving people apart and making them think a story is real, putting out conspiracy theories, discrediting your opponents, and trolling by exploiting other’s feelings. I have included links to each of these educational games in case others are interested. Bad News – Play the fake news game! RumorGuard from the News Literacy Project
Rumor Guard and “Bad News” are considered great educational tools to help society identify misinformation. In today’s world, it has become harder to distinguish real news from fake news. Technological advances have made it easy for fake information to spread as fast as possible. It is important for everyone, not just journalists, to have the knowledge to spot dishonest information. Media literacy, critical thinking, and also positive skepticism are three of the most important skills the public should have today.
It is never too early for students to learn media literacy and many educations are starting to teach it in the classrooms. I found an interesting article that discusses the benefits of educational tools, such as Rumor Guard. Here is the link: Helping Students Spot Misinformation Online | NEA
“Bad News” is also a great educational tool to help others tell the difference between real and fake news. A study has shown that this game greatly increases a person’s ability to point out misinformation techniques. (PDF) Good News about Bad News: Gamified Inoculation Boosts Confidence and Cognitive Immunity Against Fake News. Misinformation has increased tremendously since technology has advanced.
It is now more important than ever to know how to spot dishonest information. Educational tools, such as the ones discussed in my blog, are great ways to help point out types of misinformation. They helped me gain a better grasp of understanding why misinformation happens and how not to fall for it. The games were organized very well to educate people in society. Interactive tools like these should be used in every educational institution.
Kayla Miguel 
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